In a world of traditionally getting everything you want when you want it, there still are moments in life were that just isn’t so. Sadly one of those places is in Theatre. (The other is after you graduate college and can’t get a job in the field you want). In theatre we play characters… characters specific to a part… young child, old man, frog, cat, tree. And as much as it’s a hard thing to hear and come to terms with we are not universal beings. We cannot play any part in the world… well that is it. Sure anyone can read a characters lines, but I will never make a great King Lear. Why? Because I am not an old sad man.
If you do not get a part in a show, that does not mean that you are a terrible actor, it just means that you were not suited for the production. I know that is a terrible thing to hear, but true non-the-less. As an actor myself I have been turned down many times because there was not a part for me, I can play a very specific part… no old ladies for me… characters my own age are hard to land as well.
“But what about those people that get leads all the time?” you ask. Sadly some people are more versatile in their looks and abilities which allow them to be considered for many varying characters. The great thing about being a teenaged actor is that you are ever changing! You are growing and maturing and changing so much! We have had many an actor come through who played the child role their freshmen year and the grumpy old man their senior year. Just because you as your freshmen self didn’t get a part that year, does not mean you will never get a part ever. Ask any of the kids who have graduated. There were people who auditioned every year and finally got a part their senior year… LEADS. It’s all about practice and perseverance.
I urge you to keep on auditioning, because one day there will be a part made for you or you will grow into the parts.
Act Out 